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Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy

Numan, Nagla Numan Ali (2012-12)

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.

Thesis

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Terahertz radiation is currently used in security, information and communication technology
(ICT), and biomedical sciences among others. The usability of terahertz (THz)
radiation, in many of its applications depends on characteristics of the materials being
investigated in the THz range. At the heart of THz usage is a THz spectroscopy system
necessary for the generation and detection of the THz radiation. In this thesis, we characterise
such a THz spectroscopy system. In our typical THz spectrometric system, we
make use of femtosecond (fs) laser technology and pump-probe principles for emission and
detection of THz radiation. Background about the principles of generation THz radiation
using fs triggered antennas and the principles of the spectroscopy technique and appropriate
literature references are presented. Using an assembled commercially available kit, we
reproduce known spectra in order to confirm correct functionality (for calibration) of the
assembled spectroscopy system and to gain experience in interpreting these spectra. By
introducing a suitable x - y scanning device we construct a crude THz imaging device to
illustrate the principle.